WSJ/NBC Poll Shows Support for NRA

NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre at a press conference on Dec. 21.

In the midst of a ferocious battle with the president over gun control in America, the National Rifle Association continues to have more supporters than detractors, according to a new Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll.

According to the poll, the NRA enjoys 41% positive approval rating, with a 34% negative rating. That compares with 41% positive and 29% negative in January 2011.

The NRA has been in the spotlight after the December massacre of 20 children at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Conn. NRA executive Wayne LaPierre proposed putting armed guard in schools — but gave no ground on gun-control measures.

The powerful lobby for gunmakers and gun owners has seen its popularity climb sharply since 1995. That spring 168 people were killed in the Oklahoma City bombing by a gun enthusiast, and in an unrelated fundraising letter, Mr. La Pierre referred to law-enforcement officers as “jack-booted thugs.” Mr. LaPierre apologized for his words, but as a result the NRA’s positive rating stood at 27% and its negative rating was 47%, according to the WSJ/NBC News poll in July 1995.

In the recent poll, the NRA’s rating is higher than that of Hollywood and the entertainment industry, which the NRA and other critics have said have contributed to a culture of violence. According to the poll, only 23% of Americans have a positive view of Hollywood and the entertainment industry, while 46% have a negative view.

The full results of the poll will be released at 6:30 p.m. ET Thursday. The poll of 1,000 adults was conducted Jan. 12-15 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1%.

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